Who We Are

Mission

Durham Arts Council, Inc. is a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham – it leads, inspires, and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all the people of our community.

DAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by earned revenues, grants and contributions from corporations, foundations, individuals, and support from the City of Durham, Durham County, North Carolina Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Vision

We envision a community where creativity and the arts are highly valued, positive and transformative forces in Durham’s cultural, educational, and economic life. We envision an excellent and sustainable arts and cultural sector that is vital to quality of life in Durham.

Goals

To increase participation in high-quality arts experiences throughout the community,
To expand arts education both in and outside of schools,
To build an environment for artists and arts organization so that they can create and present their work, and
To be a resource to the community for advocating, planning, and developing Durham’s arts and cultural community, creative place-making and building the creative economy

Diversity, Equity, Access, Inclusion and Belonging (DEAI)

Durham Arts Council celebrates the unique creativity and spirit of every person and believes in creating a vibrant, diverse, equitable and inclusive community through the arts. DAC is committed at every level to developing, supporting, and celebrating diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging in our programming, services, audience, workforce, vendor relationships, and governance as a reflection of the diverse communities we serve.

Board of Trustees

Board Officers

Adam Allegrini

Board President

Atlantic Union Bank

Constanza Gómez-Joines

1st Vice President, Programs, Policy, + Planning Committee & President Elect

Durham Tech Community College

Geraud Staton

2nd Vice President, Development Committee

Executive Director, Helius

José Manuel Cruz

Secretary, Financial Operations Committee

Artist/Photographer CEO cruzwearstudios

Emilie McIntosh

Treasurer

Grant Coordinator and Staff Liaison, Durham Park’s Foundation

Board Members

Andy Esser

Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

Bryan Scherich

Executive Officer, Measurement Inc, Chief Real Estate Officer, Measurement Durham, LLC.

Mitch Sava

Executive Director, Scrap Exchange

Sheila Crosby

Global Travel Advisor,

Georgia Travel Experts, LLC

Baron Tymas

Youth Programs Director, Durham Jazz Workshop

Senator Mike Woodard

State President, Molina Healthcare of NC

John Snyder

CEO Net Friends

Dan Ellison

Attorney

Stephen J. Valentine

Durham County Board of Commissioners

Appointed by Durham County Commission

Nate Baker

Durham City Council Member

Staff Directory

Leadership

Katie Wyatt

Executive Director

kwyatt@durhamarts.org
919-560-2709

Development & Communications

Laura Montgomery

Director of Development + Communications

lmontgomery@durhamarts.org
919-560-2707

McKayla Walker

Development + Communications Coordinator

mwalker@durhamarts.org

919-560-2724

Janet Bell

Administrative Coordinator

janet@durhamarts.org
919-560-2787

Artist Services

Amanda Miller

Director of Artist Services

amiller@durhamarts.org
919-560-2720

Colleen Scott

Artist Services Manager

cscott@durhamarts.org

919-560-2719

Arts Education

Sean Uyehara

Director of Arts Education

suyehara@durhamarts.org
919-560-2735

Al Strong

Director of Creative Arts Programs in Schools and Communities (CAPS)

astrong@durhamarts.org
919-560-2718

Mïa Vollkommer

DAC School Registrar

mvollkommer@durhamarts.org
919-560-2726

Wendy Leigh

Arts Education Assistant Manager / Arts Camp Manager

wleigh@durhamarts.org
919-560-2705

Facilities

Lulu Clark

Facilities Operations Manager

DACEvents@durhamarts.org
919-560-2756

Ridge Borland

Custodial Maintenance Lead

dacmaintenance@durhamarts.org

Contract Services Team

Financial Accounting

Neal, Bradsher + Taylor PA

Angela Yearby

Michael Clonch

Joe Sullivan

Theatre Technical Support

Sonic Pie Productions

IT Management

Net Friends

Security Services

Durham County Sheriff Team

History

Founded in 1954 to promote and nurture the arts of Durham, Allied Arts was renamed Durham Arts Council, Inc. (DAC) in 1975 when it became what is now the second oldest arts council in the United States . Three years later, the Council moved in to the historic Central High School and City Hall building, which was constructed in 1906 at 120 Morris Street in downtown Durham. In the mid-1980’s, after a three-year renovation, the city-owned building became DAC’s long term home.

March 1954

Allied Arts (the former name of Durham Arts Council) is incorporated as a nonprofit.
1971

Allied Arts begins its education program, offering its first classes in dance, craft, drama, music, photography and eurythmics.
1974

Allied Arts hosts the first annual two day Street Arts Celebration in Downtown Durham, which later developed into a two festival and was renamed CenterFest.
1975

Allied Arts changes its name to Durham Arts Council, Inc. as it is known today.
1978

DAC moves in to the historic Central High School and City Hall building, which was constructed in 1906.
1979

The Council for Creative Arts Program becomes a partnership program of DAC and Durham City and County Schools, changing its name to Creative Arts in Public Schools later called Creative Arts in Public/Private Schools.
1984

DAC develops the Emerging Artists Program and awards the first round of grants to local artists.
1985-1988

DAC runs a successful Capital Campaign, raising $5.3 million to renovate the city-owned building that it calls home. The ground-breaking is in 1986 and the staff return to the finished building in 1988.
1999

DAC’s clay studio moves offsite to accommodate the growing program. Eventually in 2011 the clay studio settled in its current Northgate Mall location.
2006

DAC accepts the responsibility of organizational leadership for the growing Art Walk program.
2008-2011

The DAC building undergoes a series of much needed “behind the scenes” updates, including HVAC system, flooring, storage areas, theater tech systems and more.
2020

DAC gets a complete makeover with a new logo, new signature colors, and a shiny new website!